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Abstract:

A slide bearing device, includes an inner ring-shaped internal element,
an intermediate element encloses the internal element in the radial
direction of the slide bearing device and is at least approximately
ring-shaped, and a ring-shaped external element that encloses the
intermediate element in the radial direction. The internal element is
rotatable relative to the external element, and the intermediate element
rotatable relative to the internal element and relative to the external
element. In a default state of the slide bearing device, the internal
element is arranged at a distance to the intermediate element in the
radial direction of the slide bearing device, and the intermediate
element is arranged at a distance to the external element. The internal
element and the external element are made of a metallic material and the
intermediate element with a non-metallic material.

Claims:

1. A Slide bearing device comprising an inner ring-shaped internal
element, at least one intermediate element that is enclosing the internal
element in the radial direction of the slide bearing device and that is
embodied so as to be at least approximately ring-shaped, and a
ring-shaped external element that encloses the at least one intermediate
element in the radial direction of the slide bearing device, wherein the
internal element is rotatable relative to the external element, and the
at least one intermediate element is rotatable relative to the internal
element and relative to the external element, and wherein in a default
state of the slide bearing device the internal element is arranged at a
distance to the at least one intermediate element in the radial direction
of the slide bearing device, and the at least one intermediate element is
arranged at a distance to the external element, wherein the internal
element and the external element a are made of a metallic material and
the at least one intermediate element is made of a non-metallic material.

2. The slide bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the
intermediate element is made of a ceramic material.

3. The slide bearing device according to claim 1, wherein a distance
between the intermediate element and the internal element and a distance
between the intermediate element and the external element in the radial
direction of the slide bearing device are chosen such that tensile
strains lie below a defined threshold value in the area of the at least
one intermediate element during operation of the slide bearing device.

4. The slide bearing device according to dam wherein a surface of the at
least one intermediate element that is facing the internal element and
preferably a surface of the internal element that is facing the
intermediate element are embodied so as to be curved as seen in the
direction of the central axis of the slide bearing device.

5. The slide bearing device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of
the at least one intermediate element that is facing towards the external
element and preferably one surface of the external element that is facing
towards the intermediate element are embodied so as to be curved as seen
in the direction of the central axis of the slide bearing device.

6. The slide bearing device according to claim 4, wherein that the
external surface of the internal element, the internal surface of the
intermediate element, the external surface of the intermediate element
and/or the internal surface of the external element have a constant
radius of curvature.

7. The slide bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the
intermediate element is embodied as a multi-piece part in the
circumferential direction of the slide bearing device.

8. The slide bearing device according to claim 7, wherein respectively
one dividing element is provided in the circumferential direction of the
slide bearing device between two parts of the intermediate element,
respectively.

9. The slide bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the external
element is embodied in at least two parts in the axial direction of the
slide bearing device.

10. The slide bearing device according to claim 1, wherein a hydraulic
fluid is arranged in a space present in the radial direction of the slide
bearing device between the internal element the external element.

Description:

[0001] The invention relates to a slide bearing device, comprising a
ring-shaped internal element, a ring-shaped intermediate element as well
as a ring-shaped external element of the kind as defined in more detail
in the generic term of patent claim 1.

[0002] Hydrodynamic slide bearing devices are used in planet gear sets to
mount the planetary gears of the planet gear set on a planetary carrier,
for example. Such slide bearing devices have an inner ring and an outer
ring, which are rotatable relative to each other, wherein during
operation of the planet gear set differences in the rotational speeds
e.g. in a range of 3,000 revolutions per minute up to 4,000 revolutions
per minute may occur between the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0003] In such slide bearing devices there is the danger that the inner
ring which is made of metal and the outer ring which is also made of
metal come into abutment. Due to such a contact between the inner ring
and the outer ring, local micro-weldings may occur between the inner ring
and the outer ring of the slide bearing device. In particular during an
approach movement of the slide bearing device, as an increase of the
relative velocity of the inner ring occurs in comparison to the outer
ring of the slide bearing device, these micro-weldings are released
again, with the inner ring and the outer ring becoming subject to
attrition and the service life of the slide bearing device being reduced
by an undesired degree due to this process.

[0004] From DE 10 201 2 202 341 A1, a radial bearing for an exhaust-driven
turbocharger is known. The radial bearing is embodied as an oil-flushed
floating bushing bearing, wherein a rotatable floating bushing is
arranged between an inner rotating shaft and an outer bearing housing as
seen in the radial direction, wherein a lubrication gap between the
bearing housing and the floating bushing as well as a lubrication gap
between the floating bushing and the shaft are filled with lubricating
oil. During operation, the floating bushing bearing operates at speeds of
up to 300,000 revolutions per minute, during which instability in the
axis position of the bearing may occur due to turbulences in the oil
layers.

[0005] Since the elements of the floating bushing bearing, i. e. the
shaft, the bearing housing and the floating bushing, are usually also
made of metallic materials, in such an embodiment it may principally also
result in contact between the elements of the floating bushing bearing,
i. e. between the shaft and the floating bushing or between the floating
bushing and the bearing housing, during an approach movement. Here,
micro-weldings may occur in the area of the elements of the floating
bushing bearing which are subsequently released when there is an increase
in relative velocity. This process may in turn lead to an undesired
degree of wear including the corresponding disadvantages with regard to
the service life of the floating bushing bearing.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective to provide a slide
bearing device in which a prolonged service life as compared to known
slide bearing devices can be achieved in a simple manner.

[0007] According to the invention, this objective is solved by a slide
bearing device with the features of patent claim 1.

[0008] What is proposed is a slide bearing device comprising an inner
ring-shaped internal element, at least one intermediate element which is
enclosing the internal element in the radial direction of the slide
bearing device and has an at least approximately ring-shaped form, and at
least one ring-shaped external element that is enclosing the intermediate
element in the radial direction of the slide bearing device, wherein the
internal element is rotatable relative to the external element, and the
at least one intermediate element is rotatable relative to the internal
element and relative to the external element, and wherein in a default
state of the slide bearing device the internal element is arranged at a
distance to the at least one intermediate element, and the at least one
intermediate element is arranged at a distance to the external element in
the radial direction of the slide bearing device.

[0009] It is provided according to the invention that the internal element
and the external element are made of a metallic material and the at least
one intermediate element is made of a non-metallic material.

[0010] The slide bearing device according to the invention has the
advantage that an abrasion in the area of the slide bearing device is
strongly reduced in a constructionally simple manner as compared to known
slide bearing devices. This advantage is based on the fact that between
the metallic internal element and the metallic external element, which
are made of steel, for example, and the at least one non-metallic
intermediate element or inlay no micro-weldings occur or occur to a
strongly reduced degree as compared to known embodiments, and thus
abrasion is strongly reduced as compared to known embodiments.

[0011] In addition, through providing the ring-shaped intermediate
element, the slide bearing device according to the invention facilitates
an enhanced compensation for any tilting between an axis of the internal
element and an axis of the external element during operation of the slide
bearing device as compared to conventional known slide bearing devices
that have only an inner ring and an outer ring. At that, the slide
bearing device according to the invention advantageously has a sturdiness
that is comparable to these slide bearing devices, whereas gliding
abrasion of the slide bearing device according to the invention is
considerably reduced as compared to the known slide bearing devices.

[0012] Micro-weldings between the internal element or the external element
and the intermediate element can be reduced or completely prevented in a
particularly effective manner when the intermediate element is made of a
ceramic material.

[0013] In particular, the internal element, the external element and the
at least one intermediate element have a substantially cylindrical base
body.

[0014] In a very robust and long-life slide bearing device according to
the invention it is provided that a distance between the intermediate
element and the internal element, and a distance between the intermediate
element and the external element in the radial direction of the slide
bearing device is chosen in such a manner that in the area of the at
least one intermediate element the tensile strains occurring during
operation of the slide bearing device lie below a defined threshold
value. In this way, any damage to the slide bearing device during
operation can be avoided in a particularly sure manner even at rising
operating temperatures of the slide bearing device. In this manner,
differing expansion tendencies of the internal element, the intermediate
element and the external element are taken into account by means of the
constructional embodiment of the slide bearing device according to the
invention. This means that a metallic internal element, which expands
more strongly at rising operating temperatures than the ceramic
intermediate element, does not create any tensile strains that compromise
the functionality of the intermediate element at rising operating
temperatures in the intermediate element.

[0015] When a surface of the at least one intermediate element that is
facing towards an internal element, and preferably one surface of the
internal element that is facing towards the intermediate element, and/or
a surface of the at least one intermediate element that is facing towards
the external element, and preferably one surface of the external element
that is facing towards the intermediate element, as seen in the direction
of the central axis of the slide bearing device, is or are embodied
preferably in such a manner as to be curved correspondingly to each
other, any larger degree of tilting of the internal element can be
compensated for with regard to an external element in a simple and
low-wear manner.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of a slide bearing device according
to the invention it is provided that the external surface of the internal
element, the internal surface of the intermediate element, the external
surface of the intermediate element and/or the internal surface of the
external element, as seen in the longitudinal section with respect to the
central axis of the slide bearing device, have a constant radius of
curvature. In particular when the interacting surfaces of the internal
element, the intermediate element and/or the external element in the
longitudinal section view of the slide bearing device are part of a
circle, wherein the radius of the surfaces of the internal element and
the intermediate element or the intermediate element and the external
element that are facing each other, respectively, can differ from one
another, any tilting of a central axis of the internal element with
respect to the central axis of the external element can be compensated
for effectively and also in a wear-free manner. Here, the surfaces in
particular correspond to a section of a radially external surface of a
torus.

[0017] Here, the surfaces of the internal element, the external element
and the intermediate element are in particular embodied so as to be
respectively mirror-symmetric to a middle cross-section plane of the
slide bearing device. The intermediate element can be formed spherically
in the area of its surface that is facing towards the internal element
and/or in the area of its surface that is facing towards the external
element.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the intermediate
element is embodied as a multi-piece part in the circumferential
direction of the slide bearing device, particularly in order to be also
able to mount a slide bearing device that comprises an internal element,
an external element and/or an intermediate element with curved surfaces
in a simple manner. The more parts the intermediate element has, in
particular parts that are embodied identically and that extend across a
substantially comparable circumferential area of the slide bearing
device, the easier the slide bearing device can be mounted. As an
alternative it can also be provided that the distances between the
internal element and the external element are dimensioned in such a
manner that mounting is facilitated by heating and/or cooling the
internal element, the external element and/or the intermediate element.

[0019] In an advantageous further development of the slide bearing device
according to the invention, respectively one dividing element is provided
in the circumferential direction of the slide bearing device between
respectively two parts of the intermediate element. In a slide bearing
device of this embodiment, for the purpose of mounting the slide bearing
device, in particular first the parts of the intermediate element are
inserted between the internal element and the external element and made
to abut each other with their frontal surfaces in the circumferential
direction of the slide bearing device so that all parts of the
intermediate element can be inserted between the internal element and the
external element in an easy manner. Subsequently, respectively one
dividing element that is embodied as a spacer and in particular is formed
with an elastic material can be inserted between respectively adjacent
parts of the intermediate element in the circumferential direction of the
slide bearing device.

[0020] In particular in order to also be able to mount a slide bearing
device with curved, facing surfaces of the intermediate element and of
the external element in a simple manner, the external element can be
embodied in at least two parts in the axial direction of the slide
bearing device, wherein the parts of the external element are connected
to each other during mounting of the slide bearing device. For this
purpose, the parts of the external element can be connected to each other
for example through a welded joint, a screw connection, a rivet
connection or the like.

[0021] The slide bearing device according to the invention is preferably
embodied as a hydrodynamic or hydrostatic slide bearing device, wherein a
hydraulic fluid is arranged in a space present in the radial direction of
the slide bearing device between the internal element and the external
element. In particular during hydrodynamic operation of the slide bearing
device, the intermediate element is completely surrounded by hydraulic
fluid and mounted in a floating manner between the internal element and
the external element. The distances between the surfaces of the internal
element and the intermediate element, or between the surfaces of the
external element and the intermediate element are preferably dimensioned
in such a manner that tensile strains in the area of the intermediate
element are surely prevented and only compressive stresses are acting on
the intermediate element during operation of the slide bearing devices.
Hereby the danger of any damage is rendered very small, in particular
when it comes to an intermediate element that is made of ceramic
material. In addition, the danger of any undesired degree of abrasion of
the slide bearing device in case of deficient lubrication is strongly
reduced as compared to known slide bearing devices which comprise only an
inner ring and an outer ring.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a closed hydraulic
fluid space for the intermediate element is created through preferably
plate-shaped lateral elements, which can for example be fixedly connected
to the internal element or the external element, wherein a sealing device
can be provided between the external element or the internal element and
the lateral element.

[0023] The slide bearing device according to the invention can be used in
planet gear sets, for example, to support planetary gears opposite a
planetary carrier. Since any tilting of the axes of the elements can be
compensated for in a particularly efficient manner with the slide bearing
device according to the invention, a one-sided mounting of the planets,
in which a larger degree of tilting may occur, is also possible.

[0024] The slide bearing device is preferably embodied as a high-load
slide bearing device, carrying out revolutions of up to approximately
10,000 revolutions per minute during operation, preferably in the range
of 3,000 revolutions per minute to 4,000 revolutions per minute.

[0025] The features described in the patent claim as well as the features
described in the following exemplary embodiments of the slide bearing
device according to the invention are suitable for further developing the
subject matter according to the invention respectively individually or in
any combination with each other.

[0026] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the slide
bearing device according to the invention follow from the patent claims
and the exemplary embodiments that are principally described in the
following with reference to the drawings, wherein with a view to clarity
the same reference signs are respectively used for structural components
that have the same design and functionality.

[0027] Herein:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a strongly schematized cross-sectional view of a slide
bearing device according to the invention with an internal element, an
external element and an intermediate element arranged in the radial
direction of the slide bearing device between the internal element and
the external element;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a strongly simplified longitudinal section view of the
slide bearing device of FIG. 1 for mounting a planet gear opposite a
planetary carrier of a planet gear set of which sections are shown;

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a strongly simplified cross-sectional view of an
alternatively embodied slide bearing device, comprising an intermediate
element that is formed as a multi-piece part; and

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a strongly simplified longitudinal section view of
another slide bearing device in an alternative embodiment, comprising an
external element that is embodied as a multi-piece part.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a strongly simplified cross-sectional view of an in
particular hydrodynamic slide bearing device 1 relative to a central axis
3 of the slide bearing device 1 in a default state. Here, it can be seen
that the slide bearing device 1 that is embodied as a high-load slide
bearing device comprises an inner ring-shaped internal element 5 or inner
ring with regard to the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1, and
an external element 9 or outer ring that is enclosing the internal
element 5 on the outside with regard to a radial direction 7 of the slide
bearing device 1 and that is also ring-shaped.

[0033] An intermediate element 11, which is also ring-shaped here, is
arranged between the internal element 5 and the external element 9 in the
radial direction 7 of the slide bearing device 1, wherein the internal
element 5, the external element 9 and the intermediate element 11
respectively have a base body that is substantially cylindrical or
cylindrical in certain sections. What is meant here by a default state of
the slide bearing device 1 is a state in which the central axes of the
internal element 5, the external element 9 and the intermediate element
11 coincide with the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1, and in
particular that the slide bearing device 1 is in a load-free state.

[0034] In FIG. 2 a longitudinal section view of the slide bearing device 1
with regard to the central axis 3 can be seen in the installed state of
the slide bearing device 1. Here, the slide bearing device 1 is shown in
the area of a planet gear set 23 of which only sections are shown,
wherein the internal element 5 of the slide bearing device 1 is connected
in a torque-proof manner to a planetary carrier 25 of the planet gear set
23, and the external element 9 of the slide bearing device 1 is connected
in a torque-proof manner to a planet gear 27 of the planet gear set 23 or
is embodied integral with the same. In turn, the planet gear 27 acts
together via a gearing 29, for example a double helical gearing, with a
ring gear of the planet gear set 23 that is not shown in any more detail.

[0035] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the slide bearing device 1 comprises two
ring-disc-shaped lateral limiting elements 31, 33, which in the present
case are respectively fixedly connected to the external element 9 and
extend in the radial direction 7 of the slide bearing device 1 from an
area of the external element 9 to the area of the internal element 5. As
seen from the direction of the central axis 3, the lateral limiting
elements 31, 33 enclose the intermediate element 11 of the slide bearing
device 1 in between them.

[0036] During operation of the hydrodynamic slide bearing device 1, the
intermediate element 11 is mounted in a floating manner in a hydraulic
fluid, in particular in oil, which is arranged in the slide bearing
device 1 in a space 43. The space 43 is formed by the external surface 17
of the internal element 5, the internal surface 13 of the external
element 9 and the surfaces 45, 47 of the lateral limiting elements 31, 33
that are facing towards the intermediate element 11. In order to seal the
space 43 against an environment, respectively one sealing device 39, 41
is provided between the respective lateral limiting element 31, 33 and
the internal element 5.

[0037] In the load-free default state of the slide bearing device 1, which
can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the intermediate element 11 is arranged at
a distance to the external surface 17 of the internal element 5, the
internal surface 13 of the external element 9 as well as to the surfaces
45, 47 of the lateral limiting elements 31, 33, so that the intermediate
element 11 does not come into contact with the respective surfaces 13,
17, 45, 47.

[0038] The intermediate element 11 is arranged completely within space 43,
wherein between an internal surface 13 of the external element 9 that is
facing towards an intermediate element 11 and an external surface 15 of
the intermediate element 11 that is facing towards the external element 9
a distance 16 is present in the unstressed state of the slide bearing
device 1, which is substantially constant in the non-operating state of
the slide bearing device 1 in the circumferential direction 21 of the
slide bearing device 1 and in the direction of the central axis 3 of the
slide bearing device 1. Likewise, a distance 20 that is provided between
an external surface 17 of the internal element 5 that is facing towards
the intermediate element 11 and the internal surface 19 of the
intermediate element 11 that is facing towards the internal element 5 is
substantially constant in the non-operating state of the slide bearing
device 1 in the circumferential direction 21 of the slide bearing device
1 and in the direction of the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device
1 and approximately corresponds to the distance 16 here. Also in the
direction of the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1 a distance
35, 37 is respectively provided between the respective lateral limiting
element 31, 33 and the intermediate element 11 that is substantially
constant in the unstressed state of the slide bearing device 1 in the
radial direction 7 of the slide bearing device 1.

[0039] The internal element 5 and the external element 9 consist of a
metallic material here, for example of steel, whereas the intermediate
element 11 in the present case is made of a ceramic material. Through the
floating mounting of the intermediate element 11 and a corresponding
choice of the distances 16, 20 it is avoided in a sure manner that
tensile strains exceeding a defined threshold value act on the
intermediate element 11 during operation of the slide bearing device 1,
which may lead to damage to the intermediate element 11 which is made of
a ceramic material. During operation of the slide bearing device 1,
preferably only compressive stresses act on the intermediate element 11.

[0040] In the present case, space 43 can be supplied with oil or hydraulic
fluid via oil or hydraulic lines 49, 51, wherein oil can be supplied to
the space 43 via an oil line 49 that extends in the direction of the
central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1 in the area of the planetary
carrier 25 and that leads into an oil line 51 that extends in the radial
direction 7 of the slide bearing device 1 through the planetary carrier
25 and the internal element 5. Oil that is present in the space 43 can be
discharged by means of an additional oil line 53 in the radial direction
7 of the slide bearing device 1 through the external element 9 and the
planet gear 27 outwards in the direction of the gearing 29.

[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the external surface 17 of the internal
element 5 as well as the internal surface 19 of the intermediate element
11 are curved or bent, wherein respectively areas of the surfaces 17, 19
that are facing a lateral limiting element 31, 33 have a shorter distance
to the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1 than an area of the
surfaces 17, 19 that is central with regard to the lateral limiting
elements 31, 33. In FIG. 2, the surfaces 17, 19 shown in the sectional
view are respectively part of a circular surface that has a center point
which in particular lies on the central axis 3 of the slide bearing
device 1, wherein the radius 36 that belongs to the external surface 17
of the internal element 5 is smaller than a radius 38 that belongs to the
internal surface 19 of the intermediate element 11. In addition, in the
present case the surfaces 17, 19 are embodied so as to be symmetrical to
a middle cross-section plane 54 of the slide bearing device 1, in which
the oil lines 51 and 53 are also located in the present case.

[0042] In the present case, the external surface 15 of the intermediate
element 11 and the internal surface 13 of the external element 9 are part
of a cylinder surface that has a central axis that corresponds to the
central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1 in the default state of the
slide bearing device. However, alternatively or additionally, the
surfaces 13, 15 can be embodied in a curved or bent manner that is
comparable to surfaces 17, 19.

[0043] Here, the curvature of the surfaces 17, 19 and the distances 16, 20
are also adapted to each other in such a manner that the intermediate
element 11 that is embodied as a single piece can be inserted in a simple
manner between the internal element 5 and the external element 9 for the
purpose of mounting the slide bearing device 1.

[0044] During operation of the slide bearing device 1 it may happen due to
the loads that are present that an axis of the planet gear 27 and an axis
of the planetary carrier 25, which in the shown embodiment coincide with
the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1, are in a tilted
position with respect to one another. Through the bent embodiment of the
surfaces 17, 19, such a tilting of the internal element 5 with respect to
the external element 9 can be compensated for in a very efficient manner.

[0045] The shown robust slide bearing device 1 is exemplarily designed for
revolutions in the range of 3,000 revolutions per minute to 4,000
revolutions per minute, for example, wherein the degree of gliding
abrasion in the area of the slide bearing device 1 is very small. This
results from the fact that so-called micro-welding, which may be present
in conventional slide bearing devices at the beginning of a rotary motion
of the slide bearing device due to brief metal on metal contact, is
avoided through the slide bearing device 1 according to the invention in
a sure manner by providing an intermediate element 11 which in the
present case is formed of a ceramic material. In addition the danger of
any strong abrasion in the area of the slide bearing device 1 due to
deficient lubrication is strongly reduced as compared to known
embodiments.

[0046] In FIG. 3, a slide bearing device 55 is shown, which substantially
corresponds to slide bearing device 1. In contrast to the slide bearing
device 1, an intermediate element 57 of the slide bearing device 55 is
embodied not as a single piece, but as a multi-piece part in the
circumferential direction 21 of the slide bearing device 55. In the
present case, the intermediate element 57 has three parts 59, 61, 63 that
are substantially identical structurally, wherein in an alternative
embodiment of the invention also a different number of parts, in
particular multiple parts, can be provided.

[0047] For mounting the slide bearing device 55, the parts 59, 61, 63 are
first inserted into the space 43 between the internal element 5 and the
external element 9. When during this process the parts 59, 61, 63 are
respectively brought in abutment to each other in the circumferential
direction 21 of the slide bearing device 55, in particular an insertion
of the last part 59, 61 or 63 of the intermediate element 57 is possible
in a particularly simple manner. Subsequently, dividing elements that are
respectively embodied as spacers 65, 67, 69 are inserted between the
adjacent parts 59, 61, 63 of the intermediate element 57. In the mounted
state of the slide bearing device 55, the spacers 65, 67, 69 and the
parts 59, 61, 63 of the intermediate element 57 are arranged so as to be
evenly distributed across the circumference of the slide bearing device
55.

[0048] In FIG. 4 another slide bearing device 71 is shown, which
substantially corresponds to the slide bearing device 1, so that
hereafter only the differences between these embodiments are discussed.

[0049] In the slide bearing device 71, the external surface 17 of the
internal element 5 as well as the internal surface 19 of the intermediate
element 11 are part of a cylinder surface, which has a central axis that
corresponds to the central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 71 in the
default state of the slide bearing device 71.

[0050] In contrast, the surfaces 13, 15 of the external element 9 or of
the intermediate element 11 are curved or bent, wherein the areas of the
surfaces 13, 15 that are respectively facing towards the lateral limiting
element 31, 33 have a shorter distance to a central axis 3 of the slide
bearing device 71 than an area of the surfaces 13, 15 which is central
with regard to the lateral limiting elements 31, 33. In the sectional
view shown in FIG. 4, the surfaces 13, 15 are respectively part of a
circular surface, that in particular has a center point that lies on the
central axis 3 of the slide bearing device 1. Here, a radius 73 that
belongs to the external surface 15 of the intermediate element 11 is
smaller than the radius 75 that belongs to the internal surface 13 of the
external element 9, wherein the surfaces 13, 15 are embodied so as to be
symmetrical to the middle cross-section plane 54 of the slide bearing
device 71.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the surfaces 17, 19 can in turn also
be embodied so as to be curved or bent corresponding to one another in a
manner comparable to the surfaces 17, 19.

[0052] For easy mounting of the slide bearing device 71, the external
element 9 in the present case is embodied in two parts in the axial
direction of the slide bearing device 71 and has a first part 77 and a
second part 79. In the present case, the parts 77, 79 of the external
element 9 have an approximately identical length in the axial direction
of the slide bearing device 71 and are arranged around the intermediate
element 11 from opposite sides as seen in the axial direction during the
mounting of the slide bearing device 71. In the present case, the parts
77, 79 of the external element 9 are connected to each other via a welded
joint, but can alternatively or in addition also be connected to each
other via a screw connection, a rivet connection or the like.

[0053] Through the bent embodiment of the surfaces 13, 15 a tilting of the
internal element 5 with respect to the external element 9 can be
compensated for in a manner analogous to the description in the exemplary
embodiment.